Dance

• ACA All Day ACA All Day is a competitive dance team based at UCLA, composed of dancers who share a love for all styles of dance and performance. Our team fosters a family environment that emphasizes dedication, growth, and teamwork. Established in 1993, ACA All Day (previously known as ACA Hip-Hop) has gained recognition within the Southern California dance scene over the years. As an Open Style dance team, our members train in a variety of styles, including Hip-Hop, Isolations, Waacking/Whacking, House, Popping, Contemporary, and more. We have competed at competitions like Vibe, Ultimate Brawl, Prelude, and Bridge/Resurgence with original sets choreographed by our current team and alumni. The skills dancers acquire and the strong friendships they build have helped ACA evolve into a supportive network of both current members and alumni that extends beyond just dance. With foundations rooted in professionalism and love for one another, ACA aims to inspire and be inspired while continuing to strengthen our presence in the dance community. You can look us up on YouTube to see our past sets and follow our Instagram @acaallday to keep up with our content and updates. We are holding our midyear auditions on Monday, January 6th at 7 PM in Lot 7 P1 at UCLA. More information is available on our Instagram and Facebook! We hope to see you there :)
• Ballet Company at UCLA The purpose of the Ballet Company at UCLA is to spread the art of ballet on campus by providing an inclusive community for those with any skill level of ballet. We provide opportunities for members to perform in showcases and display their passion for ballet. As a club we will help foster ballet technique, provide opportunities to take classes under guest ballet masters, as well as service/teaching opportunities.
• Ballroom Dance Club and International Folk Dance Club at UCLA Established 1996/95, BDCIFDC hosts large-scale swing and salsa parties, featuring professional bands and numerous student dance/music performing groups to celebrate many countries and cultures. Members and guests learn a variety of social ballroom dance styles (swing, salsa, tango, waltz, cha cha cha, foxtrot, etc.), cultural dance styles (American, Greek, Armenian, Middle Eastern, Latin, Asian, and more), and vintage ballroom dance styles via weekly dance lessons. We foster a social dance community among students, alumni, faculty, and staff through affordable dance instruction and unique cultural celebrations.
• Bruin Bhangra Bruin Bhangra is a cultural competitive Indian dance team. We perform a style of folk dance called Bhangra that originated in northwest India in the state of Punjab, celebrating the festival of harvest. This high energy, fun workout incorporates western hip hop influence in its traditional and modern mixed music. In addition to competing in competitions across the nation, we, as a committee, also host the largest Bhangra competition in North America every memorial day weekend, tagged "The Super Bowl of Bhangra."
• Bruin Burlesque Bruin Burlesque is a supportive community centered around the sensual art of burlesque! This confidence building heels optional class will provide a judgement free zone for dancers to learn weekly choreographies and improvize moves to popular songs, while still receiving constructive criticism on technique. A typical class will also include across-the-floor exercises, warm-ups and stretching to provide the class conditioning practiced in traditional studios. Classes are open to all levels, heels optional, and are LGBTQ inclusive. Come feel empowered with Bruin Burlesque!
• Bruin Irish Dance Bruin Irish Dance brings Irish Dancing to UCLA for dancers of all levels in an inclusive and fun environment.
• Bruinettes at UCLA The Elegant Bruinettes at UCLA is a danceline team created to highlight the African-American dance style derived from Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). The team is an inclusive space for Black students to find a way to represent themselves on campus and to express their love of dance in the stands and on the field during official UCLA basketball and football games. It is a place for self-expression, self-love, and community.The Elegant Bruinettes at UCLA is a danceline team created to highlight the African-American dance style derived from Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). The team is an inclusive space for Black students to find a way to represent themselves on campus and to express their love of dance in the stands and on the field during official UCLA basketball and football games. It is a place for self-expression, self-love, and community.
• Chinese Cultural Dance Club at UCLA CCDC is a non-profit, student-run organization that offers dance classes to all interested UCLA students. We aim to teach members to perceive and appreciate Chinese culture through an understanding of the history, culture and diversity of Chinese folk and contemporary dance. Our annual production, Lotus Steps, held at Schoenberg Hall, showcases the richness of this Chinese performing art to UCLA and the greater Los Angeles community.
• Dancesport Club at UCLA The Dancesport Club at UCLA is hence established to serve as an organization that (1) Promotes and provides instruction to members on competitive ballroom dance styles including but not limited to: International Ballroom: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep International Latin: Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive (2) Introduces and encourages members to partake in competitive ballroom dance events. (3) Establish, develop, cultivate, and maintain an active dancesport (competitive ballroom) community at UCLA. We'll be operating in-person again this coming fall in the John Wooden Center. Here is our Linktree if you are interested in filling out a form: https://linktr.ee/dancesportucla
• Dancing Social Workers (DSW) We are a group of graduate students seeking to provide a safe, collective, cultural, and expressive space through encouraging somatic modality and exploring social activism via dance.
• Expressive Movement Initiative (EMI) The Expressive Movement Initiative (EMI) is an organization that aims to introduce children with developmental disabilities to the art of creative movement through weekly dance classes. The first division of EMI is a successful program at the University of Oklahoma that has enabled the children of the program to significantly improve across a spectrum of social, emotional, and physical domains. To bring this organization to UCLA, we will utilize the assistance of the founder, who is now an LA resident, as well as a team of undergraduate volunteers who will foster a personal, one-on-one teaching and mentoring relationship with each of the children. At the end of the academic year, we will hold an annual performance to showcase the growth of the students for their family and friends.
• Foundations Choreography Foundations Choreography was founded in 2014 to address a gap observed by our founders in UCLA’s dance community. The dance community was primarily dominated by competitive teams, and there wasn’t a space for beginner and intermediate dancers. Initially, the organization focused on hosting workshops and teaching fundamental hip-hop choreography to interested students. Then, the organization expanded to include beginner/intermediate training teams, allowing anyone interested in dance to grow, train, and challenge themselves in a safe space. This soon led to the introduction of Wintensive, an annual event where professional choreographers come to teach the UCLA community for free, fostering greater cultural and dance awareness. Now, the organization has quarterly training teams and celebrates their achievements during our quarterly showcases. We also host workshops every quarter to continue to inspire and educate more dancers with various cultural dances and techniques.
• Giddhe Diyan Raniyan Giddhe Diyan Raniyan is an Indian dance team that performs a style of dance called Punjabi giddha. Our purpose is to foster a community of amateur level dancers who are interested in learning a new dance style, meeting new people, and connecting with the Punjabi culture.
• Grupo Folklórico de UCLA Established in 1966, Grupo Folklórico de UCLA remains committed to the celebration of Mexican heritage through regional music and traditional dances. Our goals are to create positive Latino/a/x role models, promote cultural awareness throughout the campus community, and encourage the youth of Los Angeles to celebrate their cultural roots and to continue on to institutions of higher learning, like UCLA. No experience is necessary to join our group!
• Historical Ballroom Dance Club at UCLA Established in 1997, HBDC has hosted over 175 Saturday night free admission costumed-themed dances with beginner lessons. We introduce members and guests to a variety of historical ballroom dance styles via weekly beginner-friendly dance lessons and special events at UCLA Kerckhoff Hall Grand Salon and UCLA Ackerman Grand Ballroom. Events include live music and guest speakers and performers. Period costumes are welcome. HBDC celebrates famous authors/books, historical periods, and movies. Dance styles include 1920s, English Regency (Jane Austen era), Victorian, Renaissance, Ragtime, Baroque, Early California, swing dance styles from the 1930s/40s/50s, and more.
• Icarus Contemporary Dance Company Icarus Contemporary Dance Company is a versatile, technical, creative family of dancers united by a common desire to continue collaborating, learning, and creating during our undergraduate experience. We pride ourselves on pushing the boundaries of individual creativity, while also acting as one cohesive unit. Through performances such as Spring Sing, UCLA Basketball halftime, and our spring showcase, SOL, as well as concept videos, we are able to share our passion for storytelling through choreography. Prior dance training and experience is required to audition. Typically, members have been trained on an intermediate/advanced level for several years before coming to UCLA.
• Jade Lotus Lion Dance at UCLA A student led lion dance troupe that educates on and appreciates the art of Vietnamese-Chinese lion dance through performances at UCLA and throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
• KBM Dance KBM Dance is a K-pop dance cover team at UCLA founded in September 2016. We're a group of UCLA Students who wish to share our love for K-pop and Korean hip-hop dance culture through their dance covers on YouTube.
• Koreos Beginning production in December 2014, Koreos is a UCLA-based K-Pop dance cover team made up of members who each bring their own diverse and unique flavors. Koreos values teamwork, growth, and professionalism to create dance covers, participate in competitions, and connect with the broader K-Pop community.
• LA Bruins Dance LA Bruins Dance is a vibrant and inclusive dance team at UCLA, dedicated to promoting creativity, teamwork, and excellence in dance. We welcome dancers of all skill levels and backgrounds, providing a platform to explore a wide range of styles. Through workshops, social events, and performances, LA Bruins Dance empowers every dancer to unlock their full potential. Our mission is to inspire a passion for dance and build a community where creativity, growth, and collaboration thrive. Whether you're an accomplished dancer or ready to embark on a new dance journey, LA Bruins Dance is the place for you.
• ModernX ModernX, formerly known as CSSA Modern, is established by a group of Chinese students with a shared passion for modern dance. Our purpose is to provide a community for Chinese students as well as students of other backgrounds to pursue their passion in modern dance. We explore, grow and challenge ourselves in the choreography of modern dancing. We also promote and provide instructions in modern dancing, including Jazz and Hip Hop, to interested students of different levels via lessons and workshops. We strive to establish and maintain an active community that welcomes all students, especially Chinese students, at UCLA.
• Nashaa Hindi Film Dance Nashaa Hindi Film Dance is one of the premier Bollywood-Fusion dance teams in the country. Operated completely by students attending The University of California, Los Angeles, Nashaa is an expression of the intoxicating culture, joy, and exuberance that is indicative of the Bollywood genre. In addition to performing dazzling routines in front of sold out audiences across the nation, Nashaa is also the host of Jhoomti Shaam, the eldest and most prestigious Bollywood-Fusion dance competition in Southern California.
• NSU Modern NSU Modern is one of UCLA's premiere competitive dance teams and is home to some of the university's most versatile and talented dancers. Comprised of multi-ethnic Bruins from various dance backgrounds, NSU Modern performs a variety of dance styles at competitions and performances every quarter. NSU Modern prides itself in bringing together individuals who share the same passion for dance, creativity, and performance.
• Offbeat Sessions We're the sole street dance club on campus, offering open dance sessions for anyone who wishes to join. Committed to preserving street dance heritage and expanding its footprint at UCLA, we foster a welcoming environment for individuals at any stage of their journey, whether they're already involved in the culture or simply curious. Our mission is to pay homage to its legacy by immersing our members through cyphers, battles, and community events. Join us in learning more about the world of street dance through forms like hip-hop, house, popping, locking, breaking, wh(a)acking, and so many more!
• PROJECTED PROJECTED is a UCLA-based project team composed of various UCLA dance alumni from both competition teams and freestyle spaces, intended for intermediate to advanced dancers.
• Raas Garba Team Formed in 2002, the Raas Garba Team at UCLA, Bataaka Nu Shaak, is a competitive dance group that was the first of its kind on the West Coast. We hope to let the Indian culture permeate our community through this beautiful form of dance and music. We fuse traditional and modern elements to create an intricate and inspiring on-stage performance. Every year, as a closely-knit family, we compete across the nation in states such as California, Michigan, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and many more.
• Ritmo Vivo: Latin Dance Team at UCLA The Latin Dance Performance Team at UCLA. We are a community creating, teaching, and performing Latin dance (salsa, bachata, and more). Our mission is to foster a collaborative environment in which any person of any dance level can be built up to be performance level. We are artists proudly sharing the bonds and love we have through the rhythms of Latin America.
• ROOT{D Dance Co. Established in 2019, ROOT[D is a project dance team with the aim to develop and showcase dancers within the UCLA/LA community. As the only South Asian dance team that encompasses a wide breadth of styles such as Kuthu and Hip-Hop, we focus on developing skills for the sake of growth, not competition. Through our dance styles and welcoming environment, we cultivate diversity and encourage our dancers to become comfortable with being uncomfortable.
• Salsa Society at UCLA We are a community for dancing and learning salsa, bachata, and other forms of social dance.
• Samahang Modern Hello! We are Samahang Modern! Founded in 1986 for the annual Samahang Pilipino Cultural Night, Samahang Modern is UCLA’s first established competitive dance team. Our focus at Samahang Modern is Open Style and Hip-Hop inspired choreography. Each year, we participate in dance competitions like Prelude Norcal, Ultimate Brawl, and Battle Royale, showcasing our original student-choreographed sets. Our training also encompasses street style fundamentals including Hip-Hop, House, and Popping. Our team comprises talented students who successfully balance academics and creative pursuits. With the four pillars of dance, professionalism, family, and cultural roots, we foster an inclusive environment that cultivates a love for dance and a strong sense of community. We invite dancers from diverse backgrounds to join us on this exciting journey as we create memorable experiences and embrace "The Good Life" together. Thank you for your interest in Samahang Modern. We look forward to seeing you at auditions in the fall! Details to come on our instagram @samahangmodern.
• SEOULA SEOULA (pronounced Sol-lah, ??): the combination of Seoul (??) and LA (Los Angeles), two cities that represent our community. We are a creative dance team comprised of students with a special passion for dance and Korean-American pop culture. We pride ourselves on being an intermediate-friendly group with the goal of producing dance video projects that include both Kpop covers and original choreography, all while enjoying Kpop along the way! est. 2017 by Amy Choi, Ginny Lee, Soobin Bae
• Shan^9 Chinese Dance Drama Society at UCLA SHAN9 Chinese Dance Drama Society is a student organization at UCLA that conveys China's rich history and folk culture through dance drama composed of Chinese traditional and folk dances. Our performances string together a continuous and complete narrative that immerses audiences in specific regions, eras, and beliefs. Our artistic approaches are diverse, drawing inspiration from exquisite paintings, captivating books, legendary figures, or ancient myths. Through these various perspectives, we deeply explore and experience the essence of Chinese culture.
• Synthesis Dance Theater It’s in the name, we create. With the use of contemporary/modern foundations, Synthesis Dance Theater is dedicated to providing members with a thriving environment to develop as a dancer. We are a company of artists that enjoy sharing our passion for dance and welcome all styles to create something fresh and exciting. Our dance company is committed to using dance as a tool to spread the love of life and pursuit of performing and creating amongst the UCLA campus and beyond!
• Taara at UCLA Taara at UCLA is an award-winning, competitive Indian Classical dance team that combines various classical dance styles including, but not limited to Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, and Kuchipudi to create innovative routines that preserve the traditional beauty of classical dance and provide an explorative venue for modern-day storytelling. Founded in Fall 2013, Taara is comprised of a small group of driven UCLA students who are committed to the preservation of the classical arts and its relevance in future generations. In addition to our competitive team, we perform at various events throughout UCLA and in the Southern California region, including corporate, non-profit, and personal events.
• The Swing Club at UCLA The Swing Club at UCLA is a student organization dedicated to promoting a positive social experience on the UCLA campus through the art of swing dancing. Its mission is to introduce East Coast, Lindy Hop, and West Coast swing dancing to members of the UCLA community, provide a place for members to practice, and connect members to the swing club community in the greater Los Angeles area. Club management operates strictly on a volunteer basis. Since the club’s founding in 2008, membership has been open to all UCLA students and affiliates. There are currently around 10 members. Meetings are two hours once per week, consisting of beginner and intermediate dance lessons as well as social dancing. The group is fortunate to have two talented and experienced volunteer dance instructors that teach lessons at every meeting. Outside of meetings, the club organizes on-campus events open to all students, and trips to off-campus venues like “Lindy Groove” and “Third Saturday Swing” in Pasadena.
• Vibe Check at UCLA Learn new dance combos every week from both our board members and guest teachers. We teach in all styles, but specialize in hip hop. This club is perfect for seasoned dancers and new dancers. There are no auditions, it is low commitment, and no experience is needed. Join us when you feel like letting go of the stress, meeting new friends, and of course, dancing.
• VSU Modern VSU Modern is a competitive dance team at UCLA established in 2006. As we enter our 19th year, Tau year, we strive to continue providing a welcoming and inclusive space for our members to grow as competitive and culturally educated dancers while continuously advancing our artistic ambitions as a dance team. In 2012, we began competing in a variety of different competitions including Bridge, Ultimate Street Jam, World of Dance, and Prelude. The members of our team are brought together by a shared passion for dance and stay for the family they make, as we are led by the motto: "Dancers first. Family always."
• World Arts and Cultures Undergraduate Society The World Arts and Cultures Undergraduate Society aims to provide an open line of communication between World Arts and Cultures undergraduate students and faculty, as well as offer performance and choreographic opportunities to World Arts and Cultures/Dance undergraduate students.